Karachi is once again in the shadow of the reaper and it is being said it is ‘gang wars’. First, it was the angered wives and girlfriends.
Now, it’s the gangs. I wonder if the plausible deniability of the political parties will next extend to the bogeyman himself. While ‘gang wars’ is a particularly plausible explanation for the ongoing heinousness, we cannot hide the reality that political matters lie at the heart of this violence and no gang or squad in Karachi can operate without political backing and patronage.
As politicking goes on, innocent people are losing their lives and there is a flurry of mayhem and murder in the city of Karachi.
If these political parties keep treating Karachi like a personal fiefdom and one they can turn into a melange of violence at their slightest whim, then things will not get much better. Politics of yore which capitalised on ethnicity are now becoming ‘the politics of blood and fire’. All parties need to accept the multi-ethnic nature of Karachi and work towards a political solution and work for the city with conciliation.
Your editorial titled ‘Have mercy on Karachi’ was correct in positing that these political parties need to stop treating the city like their personal playground. Please let the city be what it once was.
USMAN TAHIR
Karachi
(II)
Karachi has been bleeding for the past so many months due to the shortsightedness of the government and lack of finding out some long term, viable and concrete solution to this burning issue. Bodies have fallen one after the other and the toll reached 40 by 18th August.
The core issue has not been handled properly and has caused havoc and poor people are losing their lives without any reason. The bullet ridden bodies found in sacks have sent shock waves throughout the city. Ordinary people are extremely shocked as to why all this is happening to them.
Appalled, knowing no one would come to their rescue. Lyari being the hub of violence is suffering the most. Gangsters’ ubiquitous presence has sent continuous shivers down to spine of residents. Life has paralysed in the area and doom seems everywhere. Racketeers & sharks are busy in felling people like ants with no sense of remorse. Astonishingly, all the stakeholders are silent spectators as no one is coming forward to patch up differences, if any, among various ethnic groups.
The already bewildered nation, having no respite from series of bomb blasts in different parts of country, is awestruck over the tragic and unending episode of brutal killings in Karachi. Our leaders should take solid steps to prevent further burning and killings in Karachi as saving lives of people must be the top most priority of government of which it is totally oblivious. The metropolis needs some immediate help for its peace & prosperity.
IFTIKHAR SHAHEEN MIRZA
Islamabad
